WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I can imagine the day of judgment. All are
gathered before the throne of God. Those who are robed
in the perfect robe of Christ's righteousness are
gathered to His right hand. The rest wait to hear
His voice of condemnation, "Depart from Me!" Does
anyone have anything to say? If there be one who has
no sin, let him step forth and say so. Come forth,
my friend, and state your case! What about the
righteousness and holiness in which you boasted while on
earth? Come forward and tell about your works, your
gifts, your denomination; you found much comfort in
those things once. You who scoffed at substitution,
who laughed at free grace, imputed righteousness
and covenant merciesyou are not laughing now! Why
is your face so pale? Why do you tremble so? You
never trembled before but always had so much
confidence in your decision and boasted of being as sure
for heaven as if you were already there! Why do you
not tell God what you did for Him on earth? It is
quite evident that He did nothing for you. But I
remember that you said, "God has done all that he could
do and salvation is up to you." What a terrible time
to discover what you should have known, "SALVATION
IS OF THE LORD!" "Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to His mercy He
saved us." Why do you not speak? Is it because of
the awesome, infinite "HOLINESS,OF HIS PRESENCE"? You
clutch your righteous garments about you and they
are nothing but filthy rags now, and you know it!
You think of your prayers, your religious activities,
your debates over doctrine; and they are all so much
rubbish in the light of His presence. And now you
are praying? What is it that you cry? "O rocks and
mountains, fall on me, and hide me from the face of
Him that sits upon the throne." I wish that you had
cried as fervently for Christ to hide you, cleanse
you, and cover youHE WOULD HAVE!

Thomas Brooks said, "The preaching of this and
that opinion may please a man's fancy, but it is only
the preaching of Christ that changes a man's heart."